"Bravery Network Online" is a turn-based tactical RPG set in a vibrant, futuristic world. Players build and customize a team of heroes, each with unique abilities and personalities, to battle in strategic turn-based combat. The game features online multiplayer, allowing players to test their skills against others in PvP matches or team up in co-op mode. Explore the world of Gloam, uncover secrets, and level up your team in this immersive and engaging gaming experience.
Bravery Network Online features a unique and engaging combat system that eliminates RNG, allowing for strategic gameplay reminiscent of competitive Pokemon.
The game boasts beautiful character designs, a charming art style, and witty writing that enhances the overall experience.
The developers are active in the community, providing regular updates and engaging with players, which fosters a welcoming environment.
The game has been abandoned by developers, with servers down for an extended period, rendering it unplayable and leading to disappointment among players.
Despite its potential, the game lacks sufficient single-player content and relies heavily on online multiplayer, which is currently inactive due to a dwindling player base.
Players are required to be online to access even single-player modes, which is frustrating given the current state of the game's servers.
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
5%
The gameplay of "Bravery Network Online" is praised for its solid mechanics and depth, drawing comparisons to competitive Pokémon battles while introducing unique features like the battery system and captain abilities that enhance strategy and team-building. Players appreciate the charming character designs, engaging art style, and the balance between accessibility and complexity, making it a compelling choice for fans of competitive RPGs. However, some reviewers note the current lack of single-player content and the need for a more active multiplayer environment.
“The core gameplay is very good, and the singleplayer so far is well-written (though short at the moment).”
“An absolute gem of a game that takes everything that is fun about Pokémon-style battles, innovates on the format with some really interesting mechanics, and puts it in a really fun setting with amazing character designs.”
“Bravery Network Online is a stylish and polished game that takes the gameplay aspect of competitive Pokémon and turns it into a deep build-based online battler with no microtransactions, lots of earnable customizations, and no RNG.”
“It doesn't explore actual fighting mechanics or anything.”
“At the time of writing, the game has little single-player content and it is encouraged to play PvP after getting a handle on the game's mechanics.”
“If you don't like the gameplay of Pokémon, as far as turn-based RPG battles go, you're not going to like this.”
graphics
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
34%
9%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming and unique art style, which is often compared to the aesthetics of "Scott Pilgrim" and features vibrant character designs that reflect diverse themes. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character outfits and the overall visual presentation, which enhances the gameplay experience. The combination of cute visuals, engaging music, and a strong representation of the queer community contributes to a delightful and immersive atmosphere.
“The art style is absolutely fantastic and helps portray the world and characters very well.”
“Gorgeous artwork that exploits every inch of screen space, and an active development team you can talk to.”
“The aesthetic is also quite amazing, if you are into that.”
“The art style is reminiscent of Scott Pilgrim, and the music is an absolute bop!”
“It's an aesthetic that's not going to appeal to everyone, but it's undeniable that it's unique and well executed - and for a title that borrows so much from another well-established game, having a distinct panache is important.”
“While a spiritual successor to it, it stands on its own two feet with its fresh and unique aesthetic and combat mechanics.”
story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The game's story is characterized by a charming and witty narrative set in a vibrant sci-fi world, featuring distinct characters with their own backstories. However, players have noted that the single-player story mode is quite short, typically lasting only 1-3 hours, and lacks depth, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction due to limited content and reliance on online play. While the writing and character design are praised, many users express a desire for a more fleshed-out story and additional content to enhance the overall experience.
“Love the aesthetic and the soundtrack, adore how unapologetically gay and trans this cast of brave fighters is, really look forward to seeing the story be expanded over time.”
“The dialogue in the game is funny and witty, and the story had me hooked line and sinker as it weaves a world all its own, instead of relying on telling variations of the same story over and over like Pokémon does.”
“The combat system is varied without being over-complex, the characters are an absolute joy, the story scenes are delightful, and I've had an excellent time with this game so far.”
“Servers are dead, can't even access story mode content, and the Discord can't be accessed. Devs can't be reached either. There's no reason for this game to still be up and cost money if you can't even play it.”
“The single-player story mode is very easy and can be cleared in an hour or two.”
“That's another problem, there is so little story, so little to do.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
12%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm and fitting aesthetic, with many describing it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While the soundtrack is often characterized as enjoyable and relaxing, some players noted that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions, suggesting a desire for more variety. Overall, the combination of engaging music and appealing art style contributes significantly to the game's unique identity and atmosphere.
“The music and character design alone are what originally interested me, and after watching a few matches between friends I was ready to purchase.”
“The thing that I think will draw a lot of people to this game is its sense of style - a combination of its funky soundtrack, stellar writing, and phenomenal art direction all give the game a very well-defined sense of self.”
“The music fits the chill atmosphere of the game well, and the dialogue is A+.”
“Otherwise, my only complaint is that there needs to be more music and/or transitioning songs, as looping songs eventually wear on me in competitive games. Here, everything is like chill hip hop beats to relax versus Pokémon intense battle themes, which is nice for a change.”
“General music needs a bit more variance to it.”
“The music is ok.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
15%
21%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its exceptional character designs, engaging backstories, and charming interactions, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character aesthetics and personality, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community. The combination of unique designs and well-crafted writing creates a compelling narrative that resonates with fans of cute and queer representation.
“Great game, with amazing character designs, ideas, and personality.”
“Highly strategic and deterministic turn-based combat, great character designs, a charming story with an interesting world behind it, and deeply variable team composition.”
“Not only is the character design unique and interesting, but the writing is fun as well.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from my overall experience.”
“There seems to be a lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth, leaving the development feeling linear and unengaging.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm, wit, and distinct character interactions, making it a standout feature. Players appreciate the clever writing and engaging dialogues that enhance the unique worldbuilding, while the lighthearted tone and quirky elements add to the overall enjoyment. The combination of funny narratives and heartfelt moments creates a delightful experience that resonates with fans of the genre.
“The characters are all distinct and likable, the humor is on point; there's a woman who flies around on an orb; what's not to love?”
“I like how everything is explained, including duplicate heroes, and how the game uses humorous dialogues and UI-based cutscenes to introduce you to the rather intricate sci-fi world.”
“The dialogue in the game is funny and witty, and the story had me hooked line and sinker as it weaves a world all its own, instead of relying on telling variations of the same story over and over like Pokémon does.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Players appreciate the reduced emphasis on grinding in this game, as it allows for a more streamlined experience where they can freely adjust their teams and focus on strategy without the burden of extensive grinding or RNG. While some grinding elements remain, particularly for competitive play, the overall design encourages personal progression and experimentation, making it a refreshing alternative for those who find traditional grinding tedious.
“No grinding needed; just right to the meat of the strategy, and it's really satisfying to play.”
“Instead of having to spend hours grinding out specific encounters or dumping piles of in-game cash for stat boosters and/or move items, you can adjust these things freely in your teambuilder.”
“Tl;dr there are no arbitrary barriers between you and playing this game 'properly', allowing you to freely play, compete, and experiment without punishing you with massive grinding.”
“This game is a must buy if you enjoy the competitive potential in Pokémon's combat but either dislike certain elements of it like the RNG and heavy grinding required to create competitive teams or just want to try a fresh spin on the genre with new mechanics like the battery system which adds resource management to the factors that affect your decision making, or the captain abilities which affect your entire team and give you a good starting point to build around when creating new teams.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, highlighting the wholesome and welcoming community fostered by passionate creators. The diverse cast of characters and the heartfelt single-player content contribute to a unique and intriguing world that resonates with players on a personal level.
“I'm normally pretty daunted by the competitive scene of video games, but this community is so wholesome and welcoming; you can tell the creators have put so much passion into this game.”
“The accompanying single player content is funny and heartfelt, and the world the diverse cast of characters inhabits is intriguing and unique.”
“Characters have attack and defense stats related to the 3 types of attacks: physical, digital, and emotional.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its rich style and artistic character designs, complemented by fitting, chill music that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers also highlight the quality of the dialogue, contributing to the immersive ambiance.
“Absolutely dripping with atmosphere and style.”
“The art and unique appearances of all the different characters are absolutely fantastic, with decently atmospheric music as well.”
“The music fits the chill atmosphere of the game well, and the dialogue is A+.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the game's strong design as a key factor contributing to its longevity and high replay value, suggesting that players will find ample reasons to return to it.
“This game is very well designed, and that more than anything else will give this game a ton of longevity and replay value.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Bravery Network Online features a player-friendly monetization model, offering a polished experience without microtransactions. Players can earn various customizations through gameplay, and the absence of RNG enhances the competitive aspect.
“Bravery Network Online is a stylish and polished game that transforms the gameplay and team composition aspects of competitive Pokémon into a deep, build-based online battler with no microtransactions, plenty of earnable customizations, and no RNG.”
“The monetization model in this game is refreshing, as it focuses on player skill and dedication rather than pay-to-win mechanics.”
“I appreciate that the game offers a variety of earnable customizations without pushing players to spend real money, making it accessible for everyone.”
“Bravery Network Online is a stylish and polished game, but the monetization model is frustrating. It feels like the developers are more focused on squeezing money out of players than providing a fair gaming experience.”
“The game has potential, but the aggressive monetization tactics ruin the enjoyment. It's hard to focus on gameplay when you're constantly bombarded with prompts to spend money.”
“While the gameplay is engaging, the monetization system feels exploitative. It often feels like you need to pay to compete, which detracts from the overall experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates strong optimization, with users noting that it runs smoothly and remains stable since its early access release, while the core mechanics are well-developed.
“As of the early access release, the core mechanics are great, the game is stable, and runs smoothly.”